I don't like January.

Before I air my grievances, lots of things make me really happy: 

coffee, Cadbury creme eggs, getting to do my makeup each day (I'm serious), and candles, 

but especially this face.

But January always manages to kick my butt.

This is what's been making me crabby this January.

> This ad. Couldn't be more disgusted.  

> Winter (even as mild as it's been).

> Germs and illness and ignoramuses spreading germs and illness.

> Sitting at home because of weather and germs/illness.

> The color palette this time of year:  white, grey, and brown.

> Not being able to sleep.

> Emma's new napping schedule totally backfired on me. 

But I'm not the only crabby patty around here. :)

What makes Emma crabby:

* She's not allowed to chew on electrical cords

* She doesn't get to play with the TV remote/cell phones/computers

* Having to lie on her back so I can change her diaper

* Being forced to take naps

* Short naps 

* Getting dressed

Okay, one more time.

Smile! January's almost over!!!

Pet hair, be gone!

Pet hair makes me crazy. Just laying there in the carpet looking all N.A.S.T.Y.

I love cats but not their shedding. And brushing them isn't part of my daily routine nor is it that easy.

And now that Emma's crawling around, I'm even more annoyed by it. I vacuum twice a week and even that's not enough to clean the most stubborn areas harboring cat hair. 

I needed a simple solution.

"How about getting rid of your cats? Haha!"

Do you want to be hit?

Anyway, this is what I've found to work. 

Just spray the affected area with a light mist of water, rake carpet/rug with rubber rake or squeegee, and vacuum. It's magic!!

Actually, it's more of an arms and abs workout. But it works!

Here's our cat hair magnet--the dining room rug. 

The cats sleep here all the time because of the sunlight. 

And I hate this rug. 

Not only does it hold on to cat hair like grim death, it also breaks dining room rug 'etiquette.' 

*Your dining room rug should be large enough so that when each chair is slid back from the table, like when someone's getting up after a meal, the chair legs should still be on the carpet.*

Now you know.

I cleaned this rug using aforementioned technique yesterday. The results = AMAZING! Did I document before and after pictures? Not a chance.

So here's one of our kitchen rugs. It gets walked on all day. It's dingy, the fibers are all matted, and there's cat hair and junk all over it. 

And after a good raking and vacuuming? Ta-Daaaa! 

Can't tell a difference from the picture but standing here in person it's like night and day. 

Now, go get rid of your own pet hair and save what's left of your sanity. :)

Saving money like it's my job

With the arrival of Emma, I cut down working at DermUs to just one or two Saturdays a month. And it has sort of bothered me that I haven't been contributing much income, especially since I seem to be the one spending the most. Why does online shopping have to be so easy?? :)

Recently I've been struggling a little with how I can contribute financially. Should I get an evening job? Can I make money from home somehow?

While browsing Pinterest one day, this image caught my eye: 

click on the image to read

I couldn't help but to read. Why wasn't I doing this stuff??? So here's my plan to help to continue growing our savings account. 

1. Stop shopping online!!! Seriously, I'm at home all day, why do I need another cute sweater that no one will see? Just knock it off. :)

2. Budgeting

3. Monthly meal plans. I've never done this before but it makes so much sense. I never need to wonder what to make for supper.

4.  Grocery list. I always make a grocery list.....sometime it gets left at home. :) Most of the time it's a hodgepodge of food items and I wander the store looking for things to turn into meals. But now with the meal plans I have a super organized food list. YAY!!!

5. Make the things I can. DIY stuff is everywhere and I'm hopping on that bandwagon. Why spend money when I can make those things for soooooo much less. Here are the things I'm making myself/plan to start making. 

*babyfood-- it's cheap, it's easy, why not? 

*'breakfast' bread--cereal and milk cost a small fortune!! So I make a few different kinds of breads found in my friends Rachel's cookbook. We also have yogurt, oatmeal, or eggs depending on the morning. But we're done with cereal around here for awhile. 

*white bread--once the bread in the freezer is gone I'm making this stuff!!!

*disinfectant wipes--there are lots of tutorials out there but this is the one I used.

I use Shaklee's Basic G instead of bleach

*febreeze--so much cheaper

What about coupons? I'm not against them but I have found that I end up spending more and buying stuff I didn't need to begin with. So I skip them. 

Well everyone, wish me luck to be freakishly organized and I hope you're all enjoying 2013 so far!

All I wanted for Christmas was my shoulder back in place

This was a first.

The day before Christmas eve we were headed to my parents' from our hotel in Boone when I slipped on the ice while getting into our car. And I had such a death grip on the door to keep myself up that my shoulder got ripped right out of its socket. Ouch. But to my credit I didn't cry--woohoooo!

After 3 hours in the emergency room and being put under, my should was successfully back in place.
Side note: the doctor needed to make sure that I wasn't pregnant before I was put out. But apparently being on BC and being on my period is not enough proof for not being pregnant. And for those of you who think this is a funny way of making a pregnancy announcement--you're crazy!!!! : )

So here I am wearing my stupid sling.

But this picture is deceiving. I hardly wear the thing. How in the world is a mom of a 7 m/o supposed to take care of her child and home with one arm -- AND I'm right-handed! 

But on a better note, Emma had a good Christmas. She got some pretty cool 'old-school' toys. And my 'old-school' I mean fun toys that don't require batteries for sound and lights. 

And I got this cool little thing. It's a Nexus 7. I'm still learning it. And Ben enjoys it, too. : )

See you all in 2013!!!!

......a merry little Christmas

It may have taken me a little longer this year but I still got all my Christmas decorations up!

(She's my favorite decoration)

Emma has her own little Christmas tree.

But that doesn't keep her from exploring our big tree.

So from our little family to yours, 

have a very 

Merry Christmas!!

One Big Week

We saw lots of people this Thanksgiving:  both sets of parents, one brother, one sister-in-law, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a wad of little second cousins. 

Thanksgiving lasted about a week for us between having family visit and traveling back to eastern IA to see more family.

Just a few pictures from our big Thanksgiving week.

 Early Christmas gifts from Andy and Tekla

Family: Ben and Emma with Ben's brother Andy, mom Sharon, grandparents Merlin & LaVerna 

(that's 4 generations in 1 picture!)

Emma's first swim--a good time was had by all

Emma with Uncle Andy and Aunt Tekla

Turning 6 months!

On to Christmas!!

October 24th

October 24th was a good day. First of all, my dad turned 63 (whoa)! Happy birthday, Dad!!

 Emma hit 5 months yesterday, too. 

We also attempted cereal for the first time.

I would say it was a success!

She tried really hard to crawl but didn't get anywhere. But she gets an A for effort. And 5 months also marked her biggest blowout yet. It was a 10 of out 10. I did take a picture but I'll spare you. :)

Fortunately for my sanity, I do get a little time here and there to do the things I like to do. Like wasting time on Pinterest. I enjoy spending time looking at all the cool things I could make if I had the time. :)

But once in a while, I do get to make some of the things I see.....

Christmas/winter candle holders made using rubber bands and silver spray paint.

Snowy candle holder made with Modge Podge, epsom salt, and clear coat spray paint.

No-sew bed skirt.

Thanks for reading!!